Wednesday, April 27, 2016

It Happened in Europe: Saul goal propels Atletico to first leg victory

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich
Pep Guardiola has one thing left to do at Bayern Munich before he shuffles off to England. He needs to win the Champions League. His next obstacle in that fight is Atletico Madrid, one of the two Spanish clubs remaining. They didn't get off to the start they were hoping for. Saul Niguez weaved his way thorough seemingly the entire Bayern team in the 11th minute before banking home a shot of the far post. Bayern Munich was on the front foot for much of the rest of the half, but other than a chance that was headed off the line, they didn't provide anything close to a goal. Atletico probably came closer to a second goal. Antoine Griezmann missed a chance after being through on goal and then Bayern had to clear a ball off the line in the final minute of the half.

Bayern continued to hold possession in the second half, but once again failed to produce anything with it. They're attacks were all straight into the Atletico defense with very little bite to them. Their crosses had no realistic receiver, their plays through the middle were constantly clogged up, and the final ball towards the goal just want there.

Atletico looked pretty threatening on the counter attack though. With all of a quarter hour remaining they should have stretched their lead, but Fernando Torres couldn't finish the move with anything more than a shot off the post. The second goal would have been a nice thing to take with them to Munich too. In the end, Atletico Madrid would take a 1-0 lead into the away leg. The lack of an away goal for Bayern and the lead will suit them well next week.